All You Need is Lava: A Volcanic Hawaiian Holiday

All You Need is Lava: A Volcanic Hawaiian Holiday

Endlessly fascinating for their beauty and danger, volcanoes have thrilled us human beings for as long as we can remember. And if lazy days on the beach just aren’t for you, why not try a holiday with a little more excitement and head to the active volcanoes of Hawaii? In fact, the archipelago of Hawaii was created through volcanic activity and this fiery heritage is everywhere you look in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, USA. Travel insurance experts, however, say it’s safe terrain.
In the park you can get so close to active volcanoes that you can feel the heat from erupting gases and steam as you walk across lava fields in search of indigenous art…

Here are three expeditions you should make in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park if you want to experience the power of volcanoes first hand:

The Long One

The Crater Rim Trail is a fantastic trail for those who love their hikes with just a soupcon of danger! The trail is over 11 miles long and works itself around the summit of Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Hawaii. Thousands of years old, Kilauea has been active non-stop for the last thirty years. The trail winds through contrasting sceneries of lush, green rainforests and sterile, steaming rockscapes. As you walk, look out for the earth cracks and vents that break the ground’s surface.

If you’re interested in the local culture you’ll want to know that Kilauea is believed to be the home of Pele – goddess of fire and creator of Hawaii. As the name Fire Goddess suggests, the area can be unpredictable and dangerous. With this in mind, be prepared for sudden trail closures. It’s also always advisable to stay on the marked paths and keep away from edges. Make sure you get out USA travel insurance before visiting – in case of an accident you are safely covered.

The Short One

Ha’akulamanu Trail, or the Sulphur Banks Trail, is much shorter, coming in at just over a mile in length. However, you know what they say: good things come in small packages! The intriguing landscape is devoid of trees as the intense underground heat makes it impossible for most roots to grow. The area is known for the beautiful crystal formations formed by escaping gases over many years. The gas is released through earth vents along with groundwater which is turned into steam and hangs in the air.

Just a warning – it does not smell good here! Rotten eggs anyone?

The Arty One

It’s not often that you can enjoy a nature trail and take in some local art on your way. However, nothing about this art is ordinary. The indigenous artwork found cut into Pu’u Loa, or the “Hill of Long Life”, is carved into the cooled volcanic lava of this sacred site. How amazing is that? There are over 23,000 petroglyphs showing a stunning variety of geometric patterns, human representations and images of the travels of the people of Hawaii around the island. A boardwalk allows visitors to easily view the artwork whilst protecting it and maintaining respect for the site.

TOP TIP: Before you embark on any journey, check your insurance! Designed with explorers in mind, Let’s Go Insure’s USA travel insurance will keep you covered on all your wild ventures.